When the call goes out for recruits for the new Local Defence Volunteers, in Walmington the town's bank manager appoints himself commander and raises a platoon despite his minimal previous m... Read allWhen the call goes out for recruits for the new Local Defence Volunteers, in Walmington the town's bank manager appoints himself commander and raises a platoon despite his minimal previous military experience.When the call goes out for recruits for the new Local Defence Volunteers, in Walmington the town's bank manager appoints himself commander and raises a platoon despite his minimal previous military experience.
- Director
- David Croft(uncredited)
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe character of Bracewell, played by John Ringham, was intended to be a regular, but was dropped after one appearance. Ringham later appeared in several later stories, playing Captain Bailey.
- GoofsIn the first episode Godfrey says he has no military experience but in a later episode it turns out he was a conscientious objector but was a stretcher bearer and won the Military Medal.
- Quotes
[during the platoon's first parade]
Mainwaring: Where did you get that gun?
Godfrey: Eh?
Mainwaring: The gun. Where did you get it?
Godfrey: Well it belongs to my friend, actually.
Mainwaring: I see.
[Mainwaring takes Wilson aside]
Mainwaring: He's got a friend... A gun.
Wilson: Yes, I see that, sir.
Mainwaring: Well. I am the officer. You're the sergeant. We ought to have that.
Wilson: Yes, I quite agree with you, sir.
Mainwaring: Go ask him for it, will you.
Wilson: Don't you think it would have more authority coming from you, sir?
Mainwaring: No.
Wilson: Right.
[diffidently, to Godfrey]
Wilson: Scuse me. Mr Mainwaring would rather like to have your rifle.
Godfrey: *Who* would like to have it?
Wilson: Captain Mainwaring.
Godfrey: Well he can't have it.
Mainwaring: Now look here, Godfrey. Hand over that gun at once.
Godfrey: I don't see why I should.
Mainwaring: Are you refusing to obey an order on active service? You realise that we could have you shot for this?
Walker: That'll be a bit tricky since he's the only one with a gun.
Everyone: [laughs]
- ConnectionsFeatures The Way Ahead (1944)
THE MAN AND THE HOUR - EPISODE 1
The first ever episode of Dad's Army begins with something you don't often see in a British sitcom: a cold open. This pre-credits scene shows the very elderly platoon at an I'm Backing Britain event, at which George Mainwaring is the guest of honour. Revered by the men, Mainwaring launches into a speech about how he remembers a time when everyone was "backing Britain", with spirit triumphing over adversity. There are no laughs in this cold open and it seems to function primarily as a way for writers David Croft and Jimmy Perry to underline the fact that Dad's Army is not intended to mock war heroes, as it was sometimes accused of doing. That they chose to do that through the use of a contemporary campaign that was treated with suspicion and derision in 1968 is perhaps questionable, although it fits that Mainwaring would be behind such a patriotic campaign and no real judgment is made of it either way. Instead, it is used as an effective way into the introduction of one of the greatest sitcom characters of all time. For all his bluster and pomposity, Mainwaring is also resourceful, resilient and, when the occasion calls for it, genuinely heroic. This opening assures us that, despite the clashes and farces to come, he will ultimately be recognised for these qualities.
Following a cold open that features no laughs at all, it's rather odd that the opening credits of this episode have an audience reaction to the famous image of the Union Flag arrow advancing across a map before being forced back by Nazi arrows. I've never thought of this as hilarious but the audience sure seems to think it is. Perhaps it's just too ingrained in my head as a symbolic opening sequence rather than an actual gag. I suppose I can see the humour in the way the retreating British arrow meekly points at the dominating Nazi ones, although it's hardly a laugh-out-loud moment. It does reinforce that theme that resonates throughout the series of a small force standing up to a larger one, but the laughter somewhat undermines the tone with which the subject is generally approached.
After that slightly odd beginning, The Man and the Hour becomes an excellent opening episode. There's a lot of work to be done in this tight half hour, with over half a dozen main characters to introduce and the whole premise of establishing the Home Guard to set up. There's a great opening scene at the bank, which introduces Mainwaring, Wilson and Pike and perfectly establishes Mainwaring's mix of effective leadership and inadvertent buffoonery by way of a gag involving an improvised megaphone. The smallest of seeds is also sown regarding Mainwaring's ongoing resentment of Wilson's higher social status, something that becomes a rich seam of satire later down the line. The episode then becomes a series of interviews with volunteers for the Home Guard, which allows Croft and Perry to give the audience a couple of minutes apiece with Godfrey, Walker, Frazer and Jones, in which they neatly establish their main character traits. There are a couple of inconsistencies (Frazer is said to own a philatelist shop, rather than his more fitting later job of undertaker), but basically these characters arrive fully formed and are instantly relatable. The script even makes room for a couple of smaller recurring characters like Warden Hodges and Mrs. Pike. A barely developed character called Bracewell, who's entire personality just seems to be Posh Bloke, was wisely dropped after this episode.
Even with all this set-up to plough through, Croft and Perry manage to keep things entertaining and even find room for a final scene of the platoon assembled in the church hall, where we would so often see them in future. Each scene builds smartly towards a punchline, with a particularly effective one in which Mainwaring is forced to address the entire platoon in the cramped conditions of his office recalling the famous State Room scene from the Marx brothers' A Night at the Opera. The ultimate punchline, in which the uniforms and weapons the platoon are awaiting turn out to be armbands and sachets of pepper, is followed by a rousing patriotic speech by Mainwaring which rallies the troops even in the face of disappointment. It's the perfect encapsulation of Dad's Army's optimistic outlook and ability to celebrate the heroes it depicts, not just in spite of their shortcomings but because of them. The key to this fine balance is in the title itself: The Man and the Hour. If at first it appears to be ironic, it is gradually revealed to be entirely sincere, as Mainwaring overcomes each small obstacle to make the best of the situation. A terrific way to kick things off.
- phantom_tollbooth
- May 29, 2023
Details
- Runtime29 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1